Berkley, Children's Hospital Colorado patient
Hi Friends! I'm doing the Courage Classic in July to raise money for Children's Hospital Colorado. I'm riding in honor of Berkley, you can read more of her story here!
Berkley was born a CHD warrior. At just five days old, she had her first open heart surgery to treat Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, a birth defect that affects normal growth of the left side and blood flow through the heart.
Little did they know, this wasn't the only congenital heart defect she was born with. She was also diagnosed with Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome, a defect causing rapid heartbeats due to an extra electrical pathway. This additional CHD made her recovery from surgery that much harder.
At six weeks old, Berkley went home with a feeding tube and surgery scars. Berkley grew and thrived during the "interstage" period, prepping for the second (of three planned) surgeries. At four and a half months old, Berkley underwent her next surgery, followed by the most drastic complications including a third (emergency, out-of-norm) surgery that literally saved her life, seizures, hypoxemia, a stroke, and infection. Although these complications were never part of the recovery plan, this is common with congenital heart defects. At the lowest point in her recovery, Berkley was on ECMO (life support) for 8 days. Berkley was able to come off life support and go home.
Today, Berkley is a thriving, spunky 3 year old. She brings so much joy to everyone around her.
The Courage Classic is an opportunity to support positive outcomes and healthier futures for kids like Berkley.
